Canadian homeowners and buyers are facing tougher times after recent inflation figures came in stronger than expected. Government of Canada bond yields, particularly the five-year yield, shot up quickly following the inflation report. That shift wiped out nearly all the progress mortgage rates had made earlier this year.

A recent decision rolling back some of Trump’s proposed tariffs is drawing attention from real estate experts. That shift may ease economic strain—and that could be a welcome signal for housing markets. Homebuyers and sellers are watching mortgage rates and affordability closely.

A new report by the Task Force for Housing and Climate warns that Canada’s provinces are the main hurdle blocking faster homebuilding. The group studied policies across the country and concluded that while the federal government and cities have made some progress, provincial governments hold the most power and have mostly done too little to speed up housing development.

Uninsured mortgage rates have recently edged down, while insured rates—those for borrowers who put less than 20 per cent down and must pay mortgage insurance—have climbed. That sounds backwards at first: you'd assume insured borrowers, viewed as safer by lenders, would always pay less. Yet the reality is twisty and leaving many readers scratching their heads.

Canadian household debt grew much faster in early 2025 than it did before the pandemic. In February, total borrowing rose by 0.2 percent, adding about $6.2 billion and pushing the total past $3.04 trillion. That monthly gain was twice as large as similar months in 2019, showing Canadians are borrowing at much higher speed. Even though interest rates are higher now, debt is climbing faster than in normal times.

Vancouver home sales continued to fall in April as the city’s real estate board says the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war has shaken buyers’ confidence. Greater Vancouver Realtors reported just 2,163 residential transactions last month. That figure is down 23.6 percent from April 2024, when there were 2,831 sales, and sits 28.2 percent below the ten-year seasonal average for April.

Coquitlam City Council recently approved a temporary 15 percent discount on density bonus payments to help developers push rental projects forward amid a sluggish market. Essentially, developers can access the bonus—extra floor area allowed beyond base zoning—at 85 percent of the usual cost, as long as they apply for their building permits by July 31, 2025. This tweak doesn’t lower the bonus rate itself; it simply offers a saving at the permit stage during a slow property market.

Ontario’s 2025 budget, presented by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, includes bold plans to boost the housing sector and revitalize key infrastructure across the province. Facing pressures from slowing housing starts—projected at just 71,800 in 2025 and 74,800 in 2026—the government recognized it will fall short of its goal to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031. To counter the slowdown, the budget carves out billions of dollars aimed at jump‑starting home construction and upgrading critical services.

A tenant advocacy group in Canada is urging stronger protections in the face of rising summer temperatures. ACORN Canada’s new report, based on a survey of over 700 renters, revealed that 44 percent of respondents do not have air conditioning in their homes, with many citing cost as the main barrier. This lack of cooling options leaves low- and middle-income renters vulnerable to heat-related illness and discomfort.

Many Canadians are heading into retirement still paying off their mortgages—and it may not be by choice. A recent survey found that nearly three in ten Canadians planning to retire within the next two years expect to still have mortgage payments when they leave the workforce. Despite nearly half saying they don’t plan to downsize their homes, rising home prices and the financial needs of family are keeping them tied to monthly payments.

Ravelin Properties REIT, a Toronto-based real estate investment trust, has issued a serious warning that it may not be able to continue operating unless it secures a new financial deal. In its first-quarter report for 2025, the REIT said it is in active talks with G2S2 Capital and other lenders to finalize a "Recapitalization Plan." But no agreement has been reached yet, and the company admits that without new funding, it could fail to remain a viable business — a concept known as a “going concern.”

Canada is looking again at a tax rule from the 1970s to fight the current housing problem. Back then, from 1974 to 1981, a program called the Multiple Unit Rental Building (MURB) helped build nearly 200,000 rental units. It let investors deduct the real cost of building apartments from their taxes, encouraging more rental housing. This time, the Liberal government says MURB could be brought back as part of a wider plan to boost housing and lower costs.

Gregor Robertson, Canada’s new housing minister, has made a bold and thoughtful point: you don’t need to crash home prices to make housing more affordable. Instead, he argues, the key lies in building more homes and keeping the market steady. This view is important because many Canadians worry that lowering prices could damage people’s savings or destabilize the economy.

Castlepoint Numa is asking the City of Toronto for permission to make its planned towers in the Port Lands taller. The developer wants to build one tower at 53 storeys and another at 47 storeys at 115 Saulter Street South. These towers would sit on podiums between five and six storeys high, with a design inspired by nearby industrial buildings. From a distance, the towers are meant to look like old smokestacks, reflecting the area’s industrial past.

Harbouring a fresh vibe in Mississauga, Canopy Towers by Liberty Development blends polished design with smart pricing. The first tower, Building A, rises 34 storeys and includes 503 suites ranging from compact studios to roomy three-bedrooms. Inside, residents find modern features like laminate flooring, sleek European cabinets, quartz countertops, and porcelain-tiled bathrooms with deep soaker tubs. Each unit includes in-suite laundry and a private balcony, making everyday life easier and more comfortable.

The Canadian government is facing increasing calls from housing experts to reconsider its stance on home prices. Many specialists believe that without allowing a moderation in prices, Canada’s housing crisis will continue to strain families and individuals seeking affordable options. They argue that simply increasing the supply of homes may not be enough to bring down costs quickly enough.

The Maritime provinces are shining in the latest rankings of top Canadian regions to buy real estate. Several cities in the Maritimes stand out as some of the most attractive places for home buyers in the country. These findings highlight a growing trend of home seekers looking to the east for affordability and value.

The average asking rent for all homes in Canada reached a five-month high in April, rising 0.4 percent to $2,127. This marks the second month in a row rents have increased, signaling a possible turn in the nation's rental market.

Wesgroup Properties has teamed up with Crombie REIT to co-develop four Safeway sites across Metro Vancouver. The two firms formed partnerships shortly after Crombie released its Q1 2025 results, announcing that Wesgroup will help push these projects through planning, design, and approval stages. Each property is already owned by Crombie in Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Burnaby, and the developer partnership aims to unlock value hidden in the land.

Canada’s housing market has been stuck in neutral, and experts say the missing spark could be mortgage rates falling to about 3 per cent or lower. Right now, the average lowest rate for a five-year fixed mortgage sits near 3.74 per cent. Many potential homebuyers are holding off, suggesting that current rates are simply too high to make buying sense again.

Staycations are back in style across Canada, with families and city dwellers turning backyard decks and nearby lakes into holiday escapes. After years of international travel restrictions, people are rediscovering local getaways – and cottages are at the heart of this trend. Warm weather, remote work flexibility, and a craving for nature have made nearby retreats more popular than ever. Yet despite this boom, cottage sales are surprisingly falling short.

A grand mansion in Toronto’s prestigious Forest Hill neighbourhood is back on the market for $17 million. Spread across about 10,500 square feet, this recently built home features seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. It sits on an upscale street and delivers all the luxuries one would expect in a high-end property.

In parts of Ontario outside the Greater Toronto Area, many people looking to buy a home are moving carefully. They’re worried that jobs in their region might not be steady, and that makes them hesitate before taking on a big commitment. Rising interest rates also are adding to their concerns, making monthly mortgage payments feel less affordable.

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) recorded just 5,601 home sales in April 2025, marking the slowest April (outside pandemic years) since 1996. That’s down 23.3 per cent from April 2024, though it’s a slight gain over March’s 5,011 sales figure.

Canadian drivers may soon notice more than just changing traffic patterns—instead of asphalt lots under car dealerships, many could witness condo towers and mixed-use buildings rising in their place. OpenRoad Auto Group, founded in 2000 by Christian Chia, now operates 35 dealerships across B.C., Ontario, and Washington State. In 2018, Chia launched its real-estate arm, OpenForm Properties, with a unique eye: turning expansive surface lots into housing and vibrant community hubs.